New South Wales drivers sin-binned for poor form behind the wheel
They may get a little rough on the footy field, but research from Suncorp Insurance reveals Queensland drivers are more courteous on the road than their New South Wales counterparts.
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Mate and state against state; the rivalry between the Blues and Maroons doesn’t stop at the Stadium, with Suncorp Insurance research showing Queensland outplays New South Wales when it comes to road safety.
According to the research, Queensland drivers demonstrate better sportsmanship and lower instances of poor driver behaviour on a range of measures, while New South Wales rates higher on aggressive behaviour and lack of courtesy.
Nearly one in five New South Wales drivers (18%) believe it’s ok to react to rage if another driver does so first, compared to 16% in Queensland.
Blues drivers are also more likely to have responded with physical (7%) or verbal (25%) aggression (5% and 23% in QLD).
“We’re all probably guilty of getting hot-headed should a forward pass go unchallenged,” said a Suncorp spokesperson.
“But that kind of behaviour is better suited to behind the telly, not the wheel. Road rage is dangerous, not only because of the physical risk but also because it’s highly distracting and can cause a serious accident.”
“No one plays a good game without training and preparation. Make sure your insurance coverage is up-to-date, and remember that dangerous driving is both a criminal offence and in some cases, will impact your insurance coverage.”
Suncorp’s tips to avoid frustration on the roads
1. Ensure you are well rested before getting behind the wheel and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
2. Video ref isn’t just for the field – dash cams are a great investment for drivers as they can help an insurer to establish fault if you’ve had an accident.
3. Don’t engage in ‘slanging matches’ with other drivers while at lights. Leave competitive aggression on the field.
4. Game plan - leave plenty of time for your journey so that you don’t need to rush.
5. Don’t get caught offside and avoid tailgating. Allow two seconds between your car and the vehicle in front. Double that if you are driving a heavy vehicle.
6. Follow the road rules – don’t speed, do indicate when changing lanes or turning and abide by all road signs.
*National research conducted by Colmar Brunton on behalf of Suncorp in January & February 2020 of 3,000 respondents.
